[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 21 (Thursday, February 11, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S574-S575]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 417--SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL 
                 ENGINEERS WEEK, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

  Mr. KAUFMAN (for himself, Ms. Collins, Mr. Bingaman, and Mrs. 
Gillibrand) submitted the following resolution, which was referred to 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation:

                              S. Res. 417

       Whereas engineers use their professional, scientific, and 
     technical knowledge and skills in creative and innovative 
     ways to fulfill the needs of society;
       Whereas engineers have helped to address the major 
     technological and infrastructural challenges of our time, 
     including providing water, defending the Nation, and 
     developing clean energy technologies that are needed to power 
     the American people into the future;
       Whereas engineers are a crucial link in research, 
     development, and the transformation of scientific discoveries 
     into useful products and jobs, as the people of the United 
     States look more than ever to engineers and their 
     imagination, knowledge, and analytical skills to meet the 
     challenges of the future;
       Whereas engineers play a crucial role in developing the 
     consensus engineering standards that promote global 
     collaboration and support reliable infrastructures;
       Whereas the sponsors of National Engineers Week are working 
     together to transform the engineering workforce through 
     greater inclusion of women and underrepresented minorities;
       Whereas the 2009 National Academy of Engineering and 
     National Research Council report entitled ``Engineering in K-
     12 Education'' highlighted the potential role for engineering 
     in primary and secondary education as a method to improve 
     learning and achievement in science and mathematics, increase 
     awareness of engineering and the work of engineers, help 
     students understand and engage in engineering design, build 
     interest in pursuing engineering as a career, and increase 
     technological literacy;
       Whereas an increasing number of the approximately 1,500,000 
     engineers in the United States are nearing retirement;
       Whereas National Engineers Week has developed into a formal 
     coalition of more than 100 professional societies, major 
     corporations, and government agencies that are dedicated to 
     ensuring a diverse and well-educated engineering workforce, 
     promoting literacy in science, technology, engineering, and 
     math, and raising public awareness and appreciation of the 
     contributions of engineers to society;
       Whereas National Engineers Week is celebrated during the 
     week of George Washington's birthday to honor the 
     contributions that the first President, who was both a 
     military engineer and a land surveyor, made to engineering; 
     and
       Whereas February 14, 2010, to February 20, 2010, has been 
     designated as National Engineers Week by the National 
     Engineers Week Foundation and its coalition members: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of National Engineers 
     Week to increase understanding of and interest in engineering 
     careers and to promote technological literacy and engineering 
     education; and
       (2) continues to work with the engineering community to 
     ensure that the creativity and contributions made by 
     engineers can be expressed through research, development, 
     standardization, and innovation.

  Mr. KAUFMAN. Mr. President, I rise today to support the goals and 
ideals of National Engineers Week, which will be celebrated next week 
from February 14 to February 20.
  As the only serving Senator who has worked as an engineer, I am proud 
to sponsor resolution acknowledging the essential role engineers play 
and the important work they do.
  I would also like to thank Senators Collins, Bingaman, and Gillibrand 
for joining me in introducing this resolution.
  Just as importantly, I would like to acknowledge the leadership of 
Congressman Lipinski of Illinois, who for many years has been 
introducing this resolution in the House of Representatives. I know he 
plans to do the same again this year when our local weather will permit 
it.
  Launched in 1951 by the National Society of Professional Engineers, 
National Engineers Week began as a way to call attention to the immense 
contributions engineers make to society.
  It is also a time to emphasize the importance of learning science, 
technology, engineering, and mathematics

[[Page S575]]

skills--something I have spoken about many times on this floor.
  Since its inception, the support for National Engineers Week has 
grown significantly.
  This year, nearly 100 professional societies, major corporations, and 
government agencies are working together with the National Engineers 
Week Foundation to bring attention to this important program.
  If we hope to encourage more young people to pursue engineering--to 
help us tackle issues of health, safety, and energy--it is absolutely 
critical that we teach them what engineering is all about.
  National Engineers Week brings 50,000 engineering volunteers into 
classrooms to teach students that engineering can be fun, that 
engineers make a difference, and that anyone can become an engineer.
  It is especially important that we get this message out to girls, 
women, and many minorities who are underrepresented in engineering 
careers. We will all benefit from greater diversity in STEM fields.
  I believe that encouraging a new generation of engineers is vital to 
continuing our economic recovery.
  Engineers have always been our country's problem solvers and it is 
fitting that we celebrate National Engineers Week in conjunction with 
the birthday of President George Washington--one of our Nation's first 
engineers.
  I wish to thank my colleagues for joining with me in supporting this 
important week.

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